Method of and apparatus for softening shoe materials



July'24, 1928.

F. M. FURB ER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SOFTENING SHOE MATERIALS FiledFeb. 10, 1923 Patented July '24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK M. FURBER, OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SI-IOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF IPATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OFNEW JERSEY.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOFTENING SHOE MATERIALS.

Application filed February 10, 1923. Serial No. 618,374.

This invention relates to the treatment of materials in process ofmanufacture for the purpose of softening them,and especially to thetreatment of shoe materials. The pres ent application is filed as acontinuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 342,883,filed December 6, 1919, and includes not only the subject-matter of theformer said application butsubject-matter not therein disclosed.

For the purpose of illustrating a preferred form of apparatus embodyingthe invention the accompanying drawings show an appaiw tus designed tosoften the Vamps and toe stiiieners of assembled shoes preparatory tothe usual pulling-over operation. The con; struction of this apparatusissuch that the materials to be treated may conveniently be in asubstantially flat condition and be separated from the forepart of thelast while the: rear portion of the upper is attached to the last, butin some respects the invention is capable of being embodied in otherforms and is adapted to be used at other stages in the manufacture ofshoes. For example, cer tain features of the invention are well adaptedto be used in an apparatus designed more particularly to softenpulled-over toes preparatory to lasting. An object of the invention isto provide improved methods of supplying moisture to the materials thatrequire softening and to provide improved apparatus adapted toadminister treatment according to said meth ods. sirable regulations ofmoisture and heat to suit the various requirements of different kinds ofleather and stiffening materials and I to suit also the preferences ofthe user, with a view to making); the apparatus and the treatment to bepractised therewith as nearly universal as possible and to safeguard thematerials against being burned or otl'ierwise injured.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatusand a method of operation that will minimize the moistening' of theatmosphere in the work-room. In this respect the invention provides forgenerating enough, but not necessarily more than enough, moist vapor toaccomplish. the

The invention provides for all the dedesired softening treatment, andprovides for supplying the vapor in such a Wav that it may be nearly ifnot wholly absorbed by the work. i

A feature of the invention consists in a. heatradiating element arrangedadjacent to a Work-station, and means arranged to sup ply liquid such aswater to that surface of the heat-radiating element that confronts thework, from a source of supply at a lower level, by the motive force ofthe medium that heats said element. The heat-radiating element ispreferably located so close to the work that the vapor generatedtherebywill have no appreciable distance to travel to reach the work, exceptingas it may spread laterally in the space between the heat-radiating;element and the work. An advantage of supplying hot moist vapor in thisway is that the quantity may be-regulated with the utmost accuracy byregulating the quantity of water supplied to the heat-radiating element,while the temperature of the vapor may be regulated by regulating theheating medium.

For softening Vamps and toe-stiffeners preparatory to pulling-over, theinvention preferably comprises a heat-radiatina element formed to enterbetween the upper and last of an assembled shoe, in which case theinvention consists further in supplying the water between the upper andthe last with which it is assembled. I consider myself the first toprovide softening treatment for an assembled shoe by supplying waterbetween the upper and the last and there converting, the water into hotmoist vapor, and I therefore desire protection of correspondingly broadscope.

The illustrated apparatus is designed to use steam as the heating mediumand comprises a steam-chest for radiating heat to the work and forvaporizing the water that is used to moisten. the work. i In thisconnection a feature of the invention consists in utilizing water ofcondensation that accumulates in the steam-chest to supply the moisturethat is used to treat the work. and consists further in utilizingsteam-chest pressure to t'ansfer the water to the external surface ofthe chest that confronts the Work to be treated. In this respect theapparatus and its operation are comparable to those of the well-knownsiphon-bottle.

Another object of the invention is to spread the vapor laterally and todistribute it evenly throughout arelatively great area so that aplurality of articles of work or a single article of great lateraldimensions may be moistened uniformly at all points. This isaccomplished, according to the illustrated construction, by providing aforaminous plate between the work and the vapor izing surface and byrestricting the openings in said plate to an extent that compels thevapor tospread laterally from the point of vaporization to all points ofthe plate to find the necessary aggregate means of escape. Although thehol s in the plate are relatively close to each other they are so smallthat their aggregate area is not sutlic-ient to re- ].ease all thevapor. Furthermore, the foraminous plate serves to safeguard the workagainst being burned and against being moistened too rapidly. Anysurplus of vapor will escape beyond the area of the plate as, forexample, through the-port which receives the water to be vaporized andthrough crevices between the plate and its supporting structure.Atmospheric pressure 18 therefore maintained at all times under theplate.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing for twoalternative modes of operating the apparatus, by one of which thetreating vapor may be restricted with respect to quantity by restrictingits temperature to'a point below the boiling temperature, and by theother of which a more copious supply may be administered to the work byincreasing its temperature to a point above the boiling temperature. Thecontrol as to these two 'modes of operation is subject to the willof theuser, and the change from one to the other and vice versa is obtainableby regulating the temperature of the foraminous plate. For example, thetemperature of this plate is never as high as that of the heatingelement, and the difference, while not necessarily constant, may be suchas to enable the plate to condense the vapor that is generated by theheating element. Now, therefore, if the temper ature of the plate weresay 200 degrees F. while that of the heat-radiating element is 220degrees, the plate would condense the vapor generated by the heatingelement. The holes in the plate are so small that when filled withwaterthe water will be sup ported in them by surface tension.Consequently, in practice, as the vapor becomes condensed by the plateunder the thermal conditions above defined, the holes in the platebecome sealed with plugs of water. Still, the temperature of the plate,while not sufficient to boil the water, is neVert-helesS than that ofthe vapor underthe plate and would safeguard even the most delicateleathers against scorching, regardless of how long the work-mightremainin position for treatment. Furthermore, the quantity of lllOlSlZUlBrising from the plate would be de termined by the temperature of theplate rather than by the quantity of vapor gene rated under the plate. I

On. the other hand, to apply the hotter vapor directly'to the work theuser would have merely to regulate the heating means to maintain theforaminous plate at a temperature above 212 degrees. Under the lattercondition, the vapor unde' the plate would rise as such through theholes in the plate and act on the work without bein condensed by theplate, and the volume of moisturerecoived' by the work would be greaterthan, under the aforesaid lower thermal conditions.

For efficiency of operation the steam-chest l is preferably cylindric,that shape aifordin g the greatest heating capacity in proportion to thesize and weight of the chest. The increased heating efficiency makes itfeasible to make the radiating tin solid and relatively thin instead ofhollow and relatively thick as in my former said construction. The laterconstruction is therefore less costly and better adapted to conform tothe requirements of the work, especially in treating small sizes.

The steam-chest is preferably made of three major elements, viz, twoconfronting headers and a tubularbody member arranged between them. Thisconstruction enables the headers to remain permanently oined to a supplypipe and an exhaust pipe respec tively and at the same time provides forremoving the body portion, as for cleaning or repairs, withoutdisturbing the piping connections. It also provides for an inexpensivethree-point healing orstand, since each of said major elements may beprovided witha. foot portion to rest on a bench or other supportingsurface.

Other objects and novel features are hereinafter described and claimedand, so far as the apparatus is concerned, are illustrated by theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 7

Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section of'anapparatus constructedin accordance with this invention, the figure including a last and anupper as assembled preparatory to the pulling-overoperation,the rearpart of the upper being fastenedto the heel end'of the last as by atack, while the vamp is sep- 1 position for treatment;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus indicated bybrokenline 2-2 of Fig. 1, portions ofthe apparatus being broken out merely tosave space on the drawing;

F 3 is a plan View of a portion of the feraminous plate that forms theupper wall of the vaporizing chamber; and

Fig. i is a verticalsection of a portion of the structure intersected bybroken line 41 i of 1, to show how the ends of the vaporizing chamberare formed.

A hollow metallic structure providing a steam-chest is formed in part bya tubular body portion and in part. by detachable end pieces or headers11 and 12. These headers are fastened to the ends of the body portion bybolts 13, and the joints are made steam-tight by suitable gaskets 141.When the apparatus is designed to be installed on abench it ispreferably provided with three bearing Joints so that it will notrequire truing to avoid wabbling. Accordingly, as shown. the bodyportion 10 isprovided, midway of its ends, with a bearing piece 15, and

each of the headers is formed with a brackis bored to receive two boltsone of which is indicated at 21 and both of which extend through theshelf 18 and carry wing nuts by which to clamp the member 20. The shelf18 is preferablyprovided with slots 23 to receive the clamping bolts andto afford a range of adjustment of the member 20 relatively to theshelf. v

A pipe 2% for supplying steam is coupied to the header 11. and a returnor exhaust pipe 25 is coupled to the header These pipes are providedrespectively With a supply valve 26 and an exhaust valve 27 by which thevolume and pressure of steam in the chest may be regulated. The water ofcondensation indicated at 28 may accumulate in thest-eantchest up to thelevel of the outlet pipe 25 to provide moisture for the work ashereinafter explained; The hollow body men'iber 10 of the steam-chesthas a substantially horizontally projecting portion 29 arrai'iged tooverhangtlreforeparts of the lasts placed on the Shah 1 8, to conductthe heat from the steam and to radiate such heat between the lasts andthe Vamps. This heat-radiatingportion 29 has relatively great lateraldimensions to underlie from four to six vamps at once. Furs thermore theportion 29 is pan-shaped or dished to provide a relatively shallowchamber 30 in which water may be vaporized be tween the lasts and theVamps 31. I

The water of condensation that accumu- .lates in thesteam-chest may becaused to low to the chamber 30 by the pressure of the steam in thechest, in which respect the action is comparable to the siphonic actionof a siphon-bottle. For this purpose a pipe 32 is arranged toextendthrough one wall of the steam-chest so that its receiving end will beimmersed in the water of condensation. This pipe, including thenecessary fittings, conducts the water under pressure to a dischargenozzle 33 above the steamchest. The body of the steam-chest is formedwith afunnel-shaped boss3 t to re ceive the water so discharged, saidboss having a hole through which the water drops so that it may flow onthe pan-shaped portion 25) to be vaporized.

That part of the chamber 30 over which the Vamps are arranged fortreatment is provided with a detachable cover consist ing of a thinforaminous plate 35 herein before mentioned, the edges of said platebeing arranged to rest on the upright walls of the chamber and beingheld preferably by some means that will permit it to be detachedquickly. This plate is. provided with a large number of closely spacedholes 36 preferably no larger than, if as large as, the shank of acommon pin. It has been found in practice that holes this size will holdwater by surface tension and that they become sealedwith water ofcondensation when the temperature of the plate is below the boilingten'iperature. A grid, consisting of a sheet of wire fabric 37, isplaccdon the plate 35 to support the Vamps out of contact with theplate. Thisgrid enables the vapor to spread laterally between the plateand the work and to become distributed evenly to all portions of thework. A grooved bar 38 is'attached to the heat-radiating portion 29toclamp both the wire grid 37 and the plate 35 to the portion 29. Thisclamping device 38 is preferably made of some material that will notconduct heat readily and may be made most economically of wood such asmaple. It is preferably coextensive with the portion 29 and plate 35,and is bored at suitable intervals for the reception of screws 39 whichextend into tapped holes formed in the portion 29. The'clainping devicehas a hook-shaped portion 40 that ex,- tends' around the front edges ofthe plate and grid and bears on the top of the grid withsu'iiicientpressure, when the screws 39 are tightened, to hold the plateand grid against slipping. This clamping device occupies a positionwhere it is adapt-ed to be engaged by the instep portions of the lasts,

ill!) ill) provided the toe board 20 is not set out far enough toprevent such engagement. In this respect the clamping device constitutesan additional guard to prevent the lasts from being indented or chippedby striking the' cast iron of which the heat-radiating ele ment is made,and also prevents the uppers from being burned by engagement with theheat-radiating element.

When the apparatus is installed for use the pipe 24: will be connectedto any convenient source of steam, the pressure-of which may be high orlow. The pressure and temperature of the chest will depend upon how muchor how little the valves 26 and 27 are opened. In a comparatively shortspace "of time water of condensation will accumulate in the bottom ofthe chest and thereafter it will be maintained at a constant leveldetermined by the outlet through which the exhaust is conducted. Thesteam pressure in the chest will force the water of condensation throughthe pipe 32 which is provided with a valve tl by which the quantity ofwater discharged from the nozzle 38 may be regulated or even cut offentirely if desired. Assuming that an article of work is arranged asshown by Fig. 1, the last will not be appreciably affected by the heator moisture supplied by the apparatus, but the vamp 31 will receivetreatment according to regulation of the valves -26 and. 27 and' 41. Ifthe valve tl is closed tightly while the valves 26 and 27 are open theVamps will be heated without receiving any moisture, since the heat issupplied exclusively by radiation. Although the portion 29 wouldordinarily be maintained at a temperature suflicient to boil water theheat radiated therefrom will not injure the work because the plate 35remains at a much lower temperature and acts as a baffle or screen, andbecause the work is spaced from the plate by the wire grid 87. Theefficiency of the apparatus is increased by providing the vaporizingchamber with upstanding ribs 50 integral with the portion 29, to radiateheat and to brace the plate 35. Since the Vamps do not engage .anythingbut the non-conducting clamping member 38 and the wire mesh 37 they aresafeguarded against being burned.

In most cases it is desirable to administer some moisture with the heat,the necessary quantity of moisture being small in all cases but beingmore for some kinds of leather than for others. For example, certaincolored leathers would be discolored by a quantity of moisture'thatwould expedite the softening of certain other leathers without harmingthem. Whatever the requirements may be, they may be satisfied byadjusting the three valves. Assuming that the steam-chest has beenheated to the desired temperature, and that the-Work to be treat edrequires moisture, any desired quantity of vapor may be generated in thechamber 30 by opening the valve 41 to the desired extent. As the waterdrops from the nozzle 33 it flows into the chamber-30 and spreadslaterally toform a thin film and is converted into vapor almostinstantaneously. I In'no case would the requisite amountof moisture beso great as to call for .a quantity of water that would spread over theentire surface of the bottom of the chamber 30 before it would beconverted into vapor.

The apparatus therefore operates as a flash boiler, and the slightpressure in the chamber 30 due to expansion causes the vapor tospreadlaterally from the center of vaporization to all parts of. the plateseeking to escape through the holes 86, since the aggregate area of allthe holes is not quite enough to relieve the pressure. The pressure is,of'course, almost negligible because the relatively remote hole for thewater supply is always open. I

In practice the valve 41 would be the most convenient means forregulating the rate of flow of water to the chamber 30, but whetherthere would or would not be a flow of water would. depend primarily uponthe valves that regulate the heating medium. For example, assuming thatthe valve 41 mm the most desirable position of regulation, and.

that it is desired to keep it there, it is possible to stop the flow ofwater by manipulating the valves 26 and 27. At theend of a workingperiod the valve 26 would be closed to turn oifthe heat, and this wouldalso turn off the flow of water because there would be no pressure inthe steam-chest to discharge the water. Onresuming the operation of theapparatus after an interval of non-use it would onlybe necessary to openthe valve 26 to supply heat andalso to supply the motive force fordischargingwaterfrom the nozzle 33, and if it were desired to leave thevalve 41 open at some predetermined position of regulation, but topostpone the discharge of water until the apparatusis hot enough tovaporize it, it would only be necessary to adjust the valve 27 torelieve the pressure in the steam-chest, thus providing rapidcirculation of steam through the chest without developing pressuretherein. Having permitted the-steam to heat the chest to the desiredworking temperature, the discharge of water would be brought about byregulating the valve'27 to restrict the exaust'to a point that woulddevelop a slight pressurein the chest. From the foregoing it may be seenthat the apparatus is also capable of heating the work without moist-1,678,139 I l W l y plate 35 may be heated to a temperature above 212degrees F. or its temperature may be maintained considerably below'thatpoint While the temperature of the heating element 29 is maintainedconsiderably above that point. If the regulation is such that thetemperatures of the plate and heating element are maintainedrespectively below and above 212 degrees the platevvill condense thevapor seeking to pass through its holes and the latter will thereforebesealed ,With plugs of Water Which Will be supported by surface tensionand Will undergo continuous evaporation above and continuousreplenishment from below by more vapor and condensation thereof.

In many cases. the last-described mode of:

operation Will supplysufficient moisture to the Work since theevaporation of the'inany small segregated bodies of Water in the holesof the plate will be moderately rapid because of their nearncss to theboiling temperature. Still, if a greater volume of moisture is desired,it may be readily supplied by regulating the heating means to maintainthe temperature of the plate 35 above 212 degrees.

Then the vapor rising from the heating ele perature with comparativelysmall c'onsu1nption of steam. VVhen it is necessary to clean thesteam-chest or to remove it for any other purpose it is not necessary todisturb the steam-piping or disconnect it from, the

headers 11 and 12, since the body the steannchest may be lifted frombetiveen the headers after removing the bolts 13;

Having thus described my invention, hat I claim as new and desireto'secure by Let ters Patent of the United States is.

l. A softening apparatus comprising a heat'radiatinp; element formedtoenter between the last and upper of an assembled shoe, and meansforsupplying a liquid to said element.

a .2. A softening apparatus comprising: a dry heat-radiating elementandwork-,engag ing means spaced from and fastened to each otl'ier bothbeing formed to intervene between a last and a portion of a shoe-upperas seinbled therewith. f r

3. A softening apparatus comprising a dry heat-radiating element andWork-engaging means spaced from and fastened to each other, both beingformed to intervene be 4 tween and, anda portion or a shoe-upperassembled therewith, and ineansarranged to supply a treating agentbet-Ween saidelement and the Work-engaging means Iiisoftening apparatuscomprising reguf latable heating means and vamp-supporting ImeansLspaced' from and fastened to'each other, both being formed tointervene between a last and the vamp, of a shoe-upper assembledtherewith, and means rcgulatable independently of said heating means tosup-I ply a fluid treating agentbetween the'heating means and thevampsupporting means.

'5. A softening: apparatus comprising work-engaging.means formed tomaintain a portion of shoo-upper apart froma last with which the upperis assembled, means constructed and arranged to radiate dry heatbetweenthe lastand said \vorlr-eiigag ing means,and means for supplyingafluid treating agent bet-weenthetwo aforesaid means. p 1 I p 6. Asoftening apparatus comprising means constructed and arranged to rad atedry heat and formed to intervene between a last and aportion of EL Sl'IOG' LiPPGi' assemble-d I therewith; means arranged to: maintain said porion o'l tlie upper out oi contactwvith said heat radiating means,fl andinc-ans ar rang id to supj' ly a fluid treating agent betwccnthetwoaioi'esaid:means,

,7. A. softening apparatus comprising a dry-beat radiatoifianda gridfastened to but i I loo spaced fromfeach otherand formed to inter-11vene between a last and port-ionof a shoe-- upper assembled therewith,and means .i I

rangedtosupply a vaporizable fluid between.

the radiatorandthe grid p r i 8,18, softening apparatus comprising asteam-chest having an imperloi'ateport-ion f forn'ied'to intervenebetween a last and a p rtionot a shoeaipper assembled thereu'tl andmeans arranged to supply a fluid treat? ing agent to an external surfaceof said iing perforate portion. Y

9. A softening apparatus coin, rising a heat-radiat ng elei'z 'ienthaving an.in'ipcrt rate portion formed to intervenebetween a last anda'portion or an upper asson'ibled therewith, and means for supplying avapor izableliquid to a surface said imperferatc portion. U y

10. A softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest having a spacearranged to contain Water, anda conduit connected to the Water-space ofsaid chest and arranged to Ian supply Water to an externalsurtace 'of'said.

chest from the products of condensation the steam used to heat-thechest;

' 1.1. A softening apparatus comprising a stesun-chest and a conduitarranged to convey the products of condensation "from the interiorofsai'd chest to-a point of discharge ver the chest so that the productsdisa.

Gel

charged said point will flowon an external surface of. the chest.

:12. Asoftening apparatus comprising a steam-chest, a conduit arrangedto conduct said regulating means the products of condensation from theinterior ofthe chest to a point of discharge adjacent toan externalsurface of the chest 7 sothat the products discharged at said point 1will flow on said surface, and a conduit leading out of said chest abovethe level of the receiving end of the first said conduit to conductawaythe used steamseparately from the products of condensation;

13. A softening apparatus heating means, means for regulating the tem- Ipcrature thereof, and means arranged to sup plya liquid treatin agentunder control of to an external surface of said heating means.

14:. A softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest forradiating heat toan article of work, and means arranged to supply water from the.interior of said steam-chest to an external surface thereof adjacent tothework station by the fiuidpressure in the chest.

' 15. A softening] apparatus I comprising work-supporting means, andmeans including a pressuresustaining steam-chest con-h structcd andarranged to treat the work on said supporting means with hot moist vaporderived from water of condensation in said Steam-chest. v i T 1 6. Asoftening apparatus comprising steam-heated means for radiating heat tothe work, said means having an inlet valve and an outlet valve tocontrol the effective pressure of steam therein,.and means arranged tosupply water, under said pressure,

I from the lower part of said steam heated the work.

means tothe external surface that confronts .17. A softening apparatuscomprising chamber-forming means, means for conduct a ing a heated fluidunder pressure'to the chamber in said means, and-a conduit arranged toconduct a fluid treating agent from said chamber by the pressure in thechamher, said conduit being arranged to dig charge saidtreatingagentupon a heated external, surface of said chamber-formingmeans. I v

18. A softening apparatus comprising a hollow heat-radiating element aportion of which is formed to intervene between a last and thevamp of ashoeupper assembled therew th, means for supplying. steam under pressureto the chamber in said element,

and means constructed and arranged to coni duct the products ofcondensation from said chamber and to discharge them on the surface ofsaid intervening portion.

- 19. A softening apparatus comprising a steam chesthaving a portionformedto in tervenebetween a last and the vamp of a.

shoe-upperassembled therewith, "vamp supcomprising portingn'ieansarranged to maintain a space between the vamp and said intervening porton, and means arranged to/conduct the products of condensation of thesteam used to heat said chest to said space aiidlto dis? charge saidproducts into the air so as to flow on an upper surface of saidintervening portion. I I s 20. A softening apparatus comprisingelongated heating means formed to inter- .v'ene between aseriesof lastsandthe vanips of] shoe-uppers assembled with the lasts,

means; arranged to support the Vamps so as to provide a space betweenthe vamps and an upper surface of said heating means, and means arrangedto discharge a liquid treating agent so that itw'ill flow in said spaceand on'said surface to be vaporized by the heatof the latter.

" 21. A' softening apparatus comprising means ;constructed and arrangedto intervene between a last and portion of a shoeupper assembledtherewith to maintain a space,and means constructed and arranged toconduct a liquid treating agent into said space and to vaporize theliquid in said space; Y

22. VA softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest, means arranged tomaintain an article of work adjacent to but out of contact with anexternal surface of'the steainchest, means arranged 'to circulate steamthrough said chest, and means arranged to conduct to said surface, to bevaporized thereby, the products of condensation of the steam used toheat the chest, the latter said means being regulatable independently ofthe" steam supplied to the. chest.

23. A softening apparatus comprising a heating element havingheat-radiating fins pro ecting upwardly from an upper sur-- face, awork-supporting grid fastened to said element and arranged to lie onsaid fins, and means arranged to discharge a liquid treating agent'onsaid element so that i; will flow on said surface between said 24. Asoftening apparatus comprising a means for radiating dry heat from amoist and heated treating fluid, means for supporting an article of workHIPOSiiLlOIl to be heated thereby, and means constructed and arranged tosiphon the liquid constituents of the fluid that has been used to heatthe first said means to the field of radiation of the first said meansso that the radiant heat will convert said liquid into moist vapor andsupply said vapor to'the work to moisten the latter.

26. A softening apparatus comprising a work-support, a steam-conduitconnected to a source of steam under pressure and arranged to radiatedry heat to an article of' work sustained by said work-support, and aconduit arranged to conduct to the field of radiant heat the condensedconstituents of the steam that has given up its heat to the work. 7

27. A softening apparatus comprising regulatable dry heating meansformed to enfor between the last and upper of an assembled shoe, andmeans arranged to supply a. liquid between said heating means and theupper to be vaporized by the heat, said two means being so related thatthe supply of liquid is dependent upon the application of heat to saidheating means.

28. That method of treating shoe materials which consists in heating thework by causing steam to heat a radiator adjacent to the work, andsimultaneously moistening the work by causing water of condensation fromthe steam so used to flow on that surface of the radiator that confrontsthe work.

29. That method of treating shoe-materials which consists in supplying aliquid treating agent between a shoe-element and a last assembledtherewith, and vaporizing said treating agent by radiating heat betweenthe shoe-element and the last.

30. That method of treating shoe-materials which consists in supplying aliquid treating agent between a shoe-element and a last assembledthere-with, maintaining the shoe-element out of contact with the liquid,and vaporizing the latterby radiating heat between said element and thelast.

31. That method of treating shoe-materials which consists in maintaininga shoeelement out of contact with a last with which it is assembled, toprovide a space between said element and the last, causing a vaporizableliquid to flow into said space without touching the shoe-element, andvaporizing the liquid in said space by radiating heat therein. a

32. That method of producing hot moist vapor to treat shoe materialswhich consists in supplying water to a level adjacent to the work from alower level by the motive force of a heating medium, and vaporizing saidwater adjacent to the work by said heating medium.

33. That method of producing hot moist vapor to treat shoe-materialswhich consists in spreading water under one or more workstations to forma thin sheet or film, causing a heating medium to vaporize saidsheetorfihn of water, and replenishing said water with water supplied from alower level by the motive force of said heating me dium.

34. That step in methods of generating hot vapor to treat shoe-materialswhich consists in supplying water to a heat-radiating element from asource of supply at a lower level by the action of the heating mediumthat beats said element.

35. That method of generating vapor to treat shoe-materials whichconsists in vaporizing a body ofwater under the work by radiating heatinto saidwater, and main taining a substantially constant quantity ofwater in the vaporizing locality by replenishing said body under controlof the heating medium.

36. A softening apparatus comprising a work-support, means for radiatingdry heat to the work on said support from a locality under the work, andmeans arranged to supply water to the field of radiant heat under thework there to be vaporized by the radiant heat, said water-supplyingmeans being controllably related to said heat-radiating means so thatthe former can function only when the latter functions.

37. That method of treating shoes which consists in separating a portionof the upper from the last of an assembled shoe, and converting a liquidinto hot moist vapor between the last and said portion of the upper.

38. A softeningapparatus comprising a steam-chest for radiating heat tothe work, said chest having a steam-inlet and a steamoutlet forcirculating steam therethrough and having a water-space below saidoutlet, and means arranged to supply water from said space to flow onthe external surface confronting the work.

39. A softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest for radiating heat tothe work,v

and siphonic means arranged to supply water from the interior of saidchest to flow on the external surface that confronts the work.

40. A softening apparatus comprising a Steam-chest for radiating heat tothe work, said chest having an interior space for water of condensation,and a conduit arranged to conduct said water of condensation to anexternal surface of the chest at a higher level than said water, thereceiving end of said conduit being arranged to be immersed in saidwater to enable the steam-chest pressure to force the water ofcondensation to the higher level.

41. A softening apparatus comprising a heat-radiating element adjacentto a workstation, and means arranged to supplya liquid to that surfaceof the heat-radiating its element that confronts the work, from a sourceof supply at a lower level, by the motive force of the heating mediumthat heats said element.

4C2. A softening apparatus comprising a tubular body member and twoheaders fastened to the ends thereof to form a closed steam chamber, ashelf connecting and sup ported by said headers to support one or morelasts, said body member having a laterally projecting pan-shaped portionformed and arranged to overhang the foreparts of lasts arranged on saidshelf, means for supplying water to said pan-shaped portion to beconverted into hot moist vapor by radiant icat, and a grid arranged oversaid panshaped portion to support the Vamps of up pers attached to theheel-parts of the lasts so that the Vamps will be heated and moistened.

l3. A softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest having a laterallyprojecting pan-shaped heat-radiating portion, and means for supplyingwater to said portion. 44:. A softening apparatus comprising astcain-chest having a pan-shaped. heatradiating portion, a foraminousplate arranged to cover said portion, upstanding projections formed onsaid pan-shaped portion to brace said plate and to radiate heat, andmeans for supplying water to said panshaped portion. 7

l5. A softening apparatus comprising two confronting headers each havinga bracket portion, a work-supporting shelf connecting said bracketportions and fastened to each, a tubular member arranged between anddetachably fastened to said headers to form, conjointly with the latter,a. pressure-sustaining steam-chest, said tubular member having aprojecting heat to work arranged on said shelf.

A softening apparatus comprising a steam-chest consisting of three majorelements, viz, two headers and a tubular member arranged between them,said headers having flat confronting surfaces seated against the ends ofsaid tubular member and having provisions for coupling to a supply pipeand an exhaust pipe respectively, and mea s for fastening said headersto said tubular acmber, each of said major elements having a foot toprovide the assemblage with a three-point bearing or stand. I j i'isoftening apparatus comprising an element for radiating heat to theWork, means for supplying water between said element and the work to bevaporized by the heat, and a foraminous balile member arranged betweensaid element and the workstation to spread the vapor by restricting itsflow to the work.

48. A softening apparatus comprising an element for radiating heat tothe work, means for supplying water between said eleportion forradiating ment and the work to be vaporized by the heat, and aforaminousmetallic member arranged between said element and the Workstation tocontrol the flow of vapor to the work, the aggregate area of the holesin said member being less than enough to release all of the vapor atatmospheric pressure.

4-9. A. moistening apparatus comprising means for supplying hot moistvapor at substantially atmospheric pressure, said means including ametallicheat-radiating element havin emission holes so small that water5 of condensation will automatically form' seals therein by reason ofsurface tension.

50. A moistening apparatus comprising a thinmetallic plate, and meansfor supplying hot moistvapor at substantially atmospheric'pressure toone side of said plate, the latter having emission holes so small thatwater of condensation will automatically form seals therein by reason ofsurface tension. v

51. A moistening apparatus comprising a thin plate arranged to underliethe work, means for supplying hot moist vapor at atmospheric pressure tothe under side of said plate, tie latter having emission holes so smallthat water of condensation supported therein by surface tension willfill them, and means to heat said plate.

A moistening apparatus comprising means forming a vaporizingCllitl'l'llOQl' and inclndinga top plate ofthin sheet metal and a heaterfor converting water in the chamber into hot moist vapor at atmosphericpressure, said top plate having emission holes so small that if thevapor condenses in them the water of condensation will fill them andform complete closuresby reason of surface tension. H v

53. A moistening apparatus comprising a heat-radiating element the uppersurface of which is dished to form a pan, means arranged to supply waterto said pan to be converted into hot moist vapor by the heat of the'pan,and a thin sheet metal plate'arranged to cover said pan and havingemission holes so small that if the vapor condenses in them the water ofcondensation Will fill them, said heat-radiating element having ribsextending upwardly from the bottom of, the pan and touching said plateto support the latter and to transmitheat thereto.

5a. A moistening apparatus comprising means for supporting an article ofwork. means formed and arranged to support by surface tension aplurality of small separate bodies of water under and adjacent to thework, and means for heating said bodies of water to convert them intohot moist vapor.

55. A' moistening apparatus comprising means for-supporting an articleof work, means formed and arranged to support by surface tension aplurality of small separate 56. A 'moistening apparatus comprising aforamlnousplate the holes in wl ich are so small as to hold enough'waterby surface tension to keep them" sealed, means arranged to heat saidplate to convertthe water 1n said holes into hot moist vapor,-and meansarranged to supply waterto said heating means so that it will beconverted intohot moist vapor and flow under saidfplate to fill saidholeswithwater. of condensation and thereafter" replenish f them as 'thewater thereln 1s rte-vapor zed, o

57. A moistemng"apparatuscompr smg a steam-chest having an externaldished portion arranged to hold water,a vapor-dispens ing platearrangedover said dished portion to form a cover therefor, sald platehavlng holes so. small. that water held in them by surface tension willseal them, and means arranged to conduct water of condensation from theinterior of said steam-chest to said dished portion by the pressure inthe steam chest so that it will be converted into hot moist vapor by thedished portion and rise as vapor to fill and replenish said holes withwater of condensation.

58. A moistening apparatus comprising means forming a vaporizing chamberand having a vent to maintain atmospheric pressure therein, means forsupplying water to said chamber, and means for heating the bottom of thefirst said means to convert the water into hot moist vapor, the cover.of said chamber having emission holes so small that the quantity ofwater that will be supported in them by surface tension will seal them.

59. A moistening apparatus comprising a foraminous plate arranged tounderlie a work station, the holes in said plate being so small thatwater enough to fill them will be supported in them by surface tension,

' means to supply hot moist vapor at atmospheric pressure under saidplate, and means to regulate the temperature of said plate to maintain.it above or below the boiling temperature, as desired.

60. A moistening apparatus comprising means to supply hot moist vapor atatmospheric pressure between the last and vamp of an assembled shoe, andmeans to reduce the temperature of said vapor before it reaches thevamp.

61., A moistening apparatus comprising means to generate hot moist vaporat atmospheric pressure between the last and vamp of an assembled shoe,and means to reduce the temperature of said vapor before it reaches thevamp.

62. A moistening apparatus comprising vmeans to supply hot moist v'apor'at atmospheric pressure under and adjacent to a workstation, andthermally regulatable means arranged to condense said vapor andre-evaporate it ata lower temperature before it reaches the work. p

63. That method of heating and moistening an article of work whichconsists in supporting by surface tension aflplurality of smallsegregated bodies of waternnder and adjacent to thew'vork, andconvertingsuch waterinto hot moist vapor. 4. That method of suplying hotmoist vapor to treat an article of work which consis'ts in.,suppo rt-inga plurality of small sag:

regatedbodies of water under and adjacent to the work, converting suchwatenir'ito "hot moistvapor, and replenishing said bodies of waterindividually as they become converted into vapor as aforesaid I 65. Thatmethod of supplying hot moist vapor to treat an article of work whichconsists inflsu'pporting apluxality of small segregatedbodies of? waterat predetermined points under and adjacent to; thew'ork, andsimultaneously converting said bodies of water into hot moist vapor andreplenishing them individually with more water.

66. That method of supplying hot moist vapor to treat an article-of workwhich consists insupportinga plurality of small segregated bodies ofwater of predetermined volume under and adjacent to the work, andsimultaneously converting said bodies of water into vapor andreplenishing them in-v dividually with more water to maintain asubstantially constant volume in each of them.

67 That method of supplying hot moist vapor to treat an article of workwhich consists in supporting a plurality of small segregated bodies ofwater under and adjacent to the work, converting said bodies of Waterinto hot I moist vapor, and supplying. hot moist vapor to said bodies ofwater to replenish them with products of condensation.

68. That method of supplying hot moist vapor to treat an article of workwhich consists insupporting a plurality of small segregated bodies ofwater under and ad aCent to the work, converting said bodies of waterinto hot moist vapor, and supplying hot moist vapor to the under sidesof said bodies of water to replenish them with water of condensation.

69. That method of supplying hot moist vapor to treat an article of workwhich consists in converting Water into hot molst vapor, spreading saidvapor laterally to efi'ect substantially uniform distribution thereofwithin a predetermined area maintaining said vapor out of contact withthe work,

small segregated bodies of water so consists in supplying hot moistvapor at atmospheric pressure under the work station, baffling saidvapor to distribute it laterally and keep it below the workstation,condensing said'baiiled vapor while so distributed, supporting the waterof condensation by surface tension under and relatively'close to thework station, and re-oonverting said water of condensation intomoderately hot moist vapor within treating range of the work station. aI 1 71. An apparatus for treating shoe materials comprisingapressure-sustaining steam-chest, means to drain water of condensationfrom the bottom ofsaid chestand deliver it to anupper surface thereof tobe converted into vapor; and meansto support an article of work in thefield of such vapor.

72.-An apparatus for treating shoe materials comprising; w0rk-supportingmeans providing a'series of work-stations, a steamheated structurehavinga pressure-sustaining steam-chest and a heat-radiating portion arrangedto extend under and adjacent to each of sa1d-work-stat1ons, and means todrainwater ofcondensation from the'bottom of. said steam-ohest anddeliver it to tion to be converted' thereby into vapor to treat the workat said stations.

73; A treating apparatus comprising means to support one or more shoeson lasts in arranged in frontof the forward edge jof saidheat-radiatingmeansto arrest the lasts by engagement with the instepportions thereof. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspeoifioation.

FREDERICK. M. FURBER.

, theupper surface of said heat-radiating porj

